These Evolution™ Speakers have been designed and manufactured to exacting standards in order to ensure years of musical enjoyment in your vehicle. For maximum performance and extended warranty

coverage, we highly recommend that you have your new speakers installed by an authorized JL Audio dealer. Your authorized

dealer has the training, expertise and installation equipment to ensure optimum performance from this product. Should you

decide to install the speakers yourself, please take the time to read this manual thoroughly so as to familiarize yourself with its installation requirements and setup procedures.

If you have any questions regarding the instructions in this manual or any aspect of your amplifier’s operation, please contact your authorized JL Audio dealer for assistance. If you need further assistance,

please call the JL Audio Technical Support Department at (954) 443-1100during business hours.

B

D

E

F

G

A

C

Woofer Physical Dimensions

Frame Outer Diameter (A)

5.80 in. / 147.3 mm

Grille Tray Outer Diameter (B)

6.00 in. / 152.4 mm

Rear Cover Outer Diameter (C)

3.38 in. / 85.9 mm

Frontal Tweeter Protrusion* (D)

0.69 in. / 17.5 mm

Frontal Grille Protrusion (E)

1.00 in. / 25.4 mm

Mounting Hole Diameter (F)

4.56 in. / 115.9 mm

Mounting Depth (G)

2.27 in. / 57.7 mm

A

A

D

C

D

B

Tweeter Fixture Physical Dimensions

Flush-Mount

Surface-Mount

Fixture Outer Diameter (A)

2.12 in. / 53.8 mm

1.93 in. / 49.0 mm

Fixture Mounting Hole Diameter (B)

1.875 in. / 47.6 mm

N/A

Fixture Mounting Depth (C)

0.71 in. / 18.0 mm

N/A

Tweeter Frontal Protrusion (D)

0.32 in. / 8.1 mm

0.95 in. / 24.1 mm

A

C

B

Crossover Network Physical Dimensions

Height (A)

4.72 in. / 119.9 mm

Width (B)

3.36 in. / 85.3 mm

Depth (C)

1.44 in. / 36.6 mm

2 | JL Audio - C3-525Owner’s Manual

C3-525SPECIFICATIONS

Woofers: Injection-MoldedPolymer Frame, Patented Elevated

Included Components and Parts:

Frame Cooling (U.S. Patent #6,219,431 & #6,229,902), DMA-

• Two C3-525cw5.25-inch(130 mm) Woofers

Optimized Motor System, Mineral-FilledPolypropylene Cone,

• Two C3-100ct1.00-inch(25 mm) Tweeters

Rubber Surround, 1-in. /25 mm Voice Coil, Kapton® Former,

• Two C3-525-XOCrossover Networks

Low-Profile,Symmetrical Roll Spider, Ferrite Magnet

• Two Surface-MountTweeter Fixtures

• Two Coaxial-MountTweeter Fixtures

Tweeters: 1.00 in. / 25 mm Silk Soft Dome with Ferrofluid

• Two Flush-MountTweeter Fixtures

Cooling and Damping and Neodymium Magnet

• Two Metal Spring Clips for Tweeter Fixtures

Fixed Angle Flush-Mount,Surface-MountandCoaxial-Mount

• Two Metal Mesh Woofer Grilles with ABS Grille Trays

Systems

• Twelve #8 x 1.25 inch (32 mm) Sheet Metal Screws

• Four #6 x 1.00-inch(25 mm) Sheet Metal Screws

Crossover Networks: 2-waynetworks with 1st order

• Two 1.00-inch(25 mm) Machine Screws

low-passand 2nd orderhigh-passfilters, premium Mylar®

• Eight Mounting Clips for Woofer Mounting

capacitors, air-coreinductors,4-positionadjustable tweeter

• Two 6.4 mm Female Crimpable Connectors

output level, 3-positionmidrange presence control,

• Two 4.7 mm Male Crimpable Connectors

Polyswitch tweeter protection

• Two 4.7 mm Female Crimpable Connectors

• Four 2.8 mm Female Crimpable Connectors

Continuous Power Handling: 75 Watts (RMS Method)

• Two 2.8 mm Male Crimpable Connectors

Frequency Response: 48 Hz - 25 KHz (± 3 dB)

• Twelve Crimpable Spade Connectors

Efficiency @ 1W/1m: 90.0 dB @ 1W/1m

• One Woofer Mounting Template

Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms

Due to ongoing product development, all specifications are subject to change without notice.

3

GETTING STARTED

• Turn off the audio system. It is also advisable to disconnect the negative (–)terminal of your vehicle’s battery whenever performing installation work.

• Before cutting, drilling or inserting any screw, check clearances on both sides of the planned mounting surface. Also check for any potential obstacles, such as window tracks and motors, wiring harnesses, etc. Check both sides of the

vehicle, many vehicles are not symmetrical!

• Always wear protective eyewear.

CROSSOVER NETWORK INSTALLATION

The crossover networks supplied with your C3 System should be installed in a dry location inside your vehicle. DO NOT INSTALL THEM INSIDE OF A DOOR! Doors often get wet on the inside, which can damage your crossover networks and could potentially damage your entire sound system. The crossovers can be screwed into a solid surface via two holes located under the protective cover of the case. To access these holes, simply squeeze the sides of the cover while gently pulling the cover away from the base. Make sure that your mounting location will not cause damage to wiring, fuel lines, brake lines or any other vital component of your vehicle. Once you have screwed the case in and made your connections, snap the protective cover back into place.

TWEETER PROTECTION

The C3 crossover networks are equipped with an advanced electronic tweeter protection circuit designed to minimize the possibility of tweeter

failure. This electronic device monitors current going to the tweeter and will disconnect the tweeter from the signal when it senses overload. Should this occur while listening to the audio system, simply reduce the volume for a few seconds and the protection circuit will reset itself automatically.

CROSSOVER NETWORK ADJUSTMENT

The crossover networks have been designed to allow tonal adjustments to the upper midrange response and tweeter level. These adjustments make it possible to fine-tuneyour system to suit your listening preferences and to compensate for various speaker mounting applications.

ADJUSTABLE MIDRANGE PRESENCE

Your C3 crossover networks provide a unique midrange presence control, located under the cover. The midrange presence is selectable via a set of pins and allows for three settings. These settings affect the amplitude of the upper midrange response of the C3 component woofer. We recommend that you begin your listening in the “REF” (Reference) and adjust up or down as needed to compensate for mounting location, orientation or personal taste.

ADJUSTABLE TWEETER LEVEL

C3 crossover networks also provide four levels of tweeter adjustability designed to compensate for different mounting locations, vehicle interiors and personal taste. These levels are selectable via a set of pins located under the clear cover of each crossover case. We recommend that you begin listening in the “REF” (Reference) position. To find the optimum tonal balance in your installation, experiment with alternate tweeter level settings by moving the pins. It is safe to switch jumpers while the system is playing.

4 | JL Audio - C3-525Owner’s Manual

WIRING YOUR SPEAKER SYSTEM

C3 Convertible Components give you the option of installing the speakers as separate component speaker systems or as coaxial systems (tweeters mounted onto the center of each woofer).

Positive (+) and negative (–)connections to the crossover from the amplifier outputs are made with the terminals labeled “IN+” and“IN–”.The Positive and Negative outputs to the woofer connections are labeled “W+” and“W–”onthe Crossover and should be connected to corresponding “WFR+” and“WFR–”terminals on the woofer (as illustrated below). The tweeter connections vary by system configuration and may be made in one of two ways.

Diagram A: Component System Wiring

In component configuration, the tweeter outputs, labeled “T+” and“T–”on the Crossover should be wired directly to the corresponding lead on the tweeter (See Diagram A). In coaxial configuration, the tweeter is connected via an internal jumper (See page 6 for more information) and the Crossover tweeter outputs should be wired to the corresponding “TWT+” and“TWT–”terminals on the woofer (See Diagram B).

!! WARNING

It is absolutely vital that your component system is connected as shown in this manual. Failure to

connect the system as shown may result in damage to your speakers which is NOT covered under warranty.

Do not substitute different crossover networks into your C3 System. Do not use crossover networks intended for different C3 models.

Ampliﬁer

Output

Red

Black

Diagram B: Coaxial System Wiring

Ampliﬁer

Output

Red

Black

5

CONVERTIBLE COMPONENTS

C3 Convertible Components give you the option of installing the speakers as separate component speaker systems or as coaxial systems (tweeters mounted onto the center of each woofer).

Note: If the C3 system is to be used in a coaxial configuration, the phase plugs must be removed to accept the tweeter and tweeter post.

Component System Set-Up

The Component configuration of the C3-525is achieved by wiring the tweeter to the crossover separately and installing the included phase plugs onto the center of each woofer.The woofers are factory-packaged in the component system configuration with phase plugs installed.

The phase plugs attach to the woofers using a simple bayonet (twist and lock) mechanism.

To remove the phase plugs, simply apply downward pressure with your thumb and index finger and twist 1/4 turn counteclockwise until released. Then pull the phase plug off the receiver. To reattach the phase plugs, align the two

tabs on the inside of each phase plug with the grooves on the outer diameter of the receiver in the center of the woofer. With these aligned, slide the phase plug down into place until it stops, applying gentle pressure. To lock, push down firmly/evenly on the plug with thumb and index finger and turn 1/4 turn clockwise.

The Coaxial configuration of the C3-525is achieved by installing a tweeter onto the center of each woofer using the supplied coaxial tweeter posts. First, remove the phase plugs from the woofers (if present) by pushing down firmly/evenly on the plug with thumb and index finger and turning 1/4 turncounter-clockwiseto unlock and remove. The phase plugs will not be used in coaxial configuration and

should be set aside for possible future use. Next, route the tweeter’s Positive (+) and

Negative (-)wire leads through the center of the coaxial tweeter post from the largetweeter-cupend and out the smaller end (See Figure A). The tweeter mounts to the coaxial tweeter post using a simple bayonet (twist and lock) mechanism. To attach the tweeter to the post, observe the indented locking slots on the outer edge of the tweeter body and align these with the tabs visible on the inside walls of the tweeter cup portion of the tweeter post. The tweeter should slide into place easily and can then be locked by pushing down on the tweeter and giving it a small clockwise turn (See Figure B).

With the tweeter installed into the tweeter post, connect the Positive (+) red wire lead on the tweeter to the larger male connection tab in the woofer’s center, followed in the same manner, by the Negative (-)black lead to the smaller connection tab. (See Figure C).

Now, note the two tabs on the inside of the bottom end of the tweeter post. Align these tabs to the channels visible on opposite sides of the receiver in the woofer’s center. While tucking the wires into the tweeter post, slide the tweeter post down into place until it stops and is ready to be locked. To lock, push down firmly/evenly on the tweeter post with thumb and index finger and turn 1/4 turn clockwise.

(See Figure D).

For woofer mounting instructions, please refer to Page 11 of this Manual.

6 | JL Audio - C3-525Owner’s Manual

Diagram C: Tweeter Post / Coaxial System Configuration

Figure A.

Figure B.

Figure C.

Figure D.

Diagram D: Phase Plug / Component System Configuration

7

COAXIAL PLACEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

In most cases, speakers in the coaxial configuration will be placed into factory speaker locations. If you have some speaker mounting flexibility, keep the following in mind: Lower mounting locations, such as the lower front corner (See Diagram F) of a door or a kick-panelprovide the greatest path length distances for the sound emitted by the speakers. For this reason, they are generally more desirable than higher mounting locations. Higher mounting locations will usually result in extremenear-sidesoundstage bias which compromises the stereo listening experience (See Diagram E).

COMPONENT PLACEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

A component system configuration gives you the ability to place the woofer and tweeter separately in your vehicle interior. This can be good or bad, depending on how it’s done. As a general rule, the tweeters should be placed relatively close to the woofers for best tonal balance and most coherent imaging (the closer, the better). Any separation greater than 8 inches (20 cm) is likely to result in degraded sound quality (See Diagram H).

Avoid placing tweeters where they will be blocked by objects in the interior of the car (including seated occupants). When selecting a mounting location, look at both sides of the car to make sure that this location is clear on both sides.

You can always experiment with tweeter placement before committing to a final mounting location. Simply connect the rest of the system and allow plenty of wire length for the tweeters. Using Velcro® or similar material, attach the tweeters in different locations until you find the one where they perform best.

Woofers will usually be placed into factory speaker locations. If you have some woofer mounting flexibility, keep the following in mind: Lower mounting locations, such as the lower front corner of a door (See Diagram H) or a kick-panelprovide the greatest path length distances for the sound emitted by the woofer. For this reason, they are generally more desirable than higher mounting locations. Higher mounting locations often result in extremenear-side soundstage bias which compromises the stereo listening experience

Double check the clearance for both speakers before proceeding. Many cars are different from one side to the other!

Woofer INSTALLATION

The woofers should be installed in one of the following ways depending on location:

Factory Location: If you will be using the factory speaker wires, it may be necessary to change the terminations. This may be accomplished by using an adaptor plug or simply by cutting the factory connector off and using the supplied crimp connectors to terminate the speaker wires. The large connector is for the positive (+) terminal and the small connector is for the negative(–) terminal of each woofer. Keep in mind that the woofer wires must be connected to the woofer outputs of the crossovers supplied with your system as shown in the diagram on page 5. If you prefer to run new wires, refer to the “Custom Location” installation section for details. Whichever method you choose, observe correct polarity in your connections. If you are unsure about any of these issues, contact your

JL Audio dealer for installation assistance.

Your new speakers have been designed to install, without modifications, into most vehicles that accept a 6.5-inch(160 mm) speaker. Most factory6.5-inchspeakers use four mounting screws which will line up with the mounting holes on your woofers.

It is absolutely vital that the speaker frame fits into the mounting hole cleanly. This must be checked prior to tightening the screws. Do not force the frame into a hole that is too small. Do not tighten the speaker onto an uneven surface. This will damage your speakers. The speaker should also fit so that air does not leak around the mounting flange. Air leaks will cause a severe degradation in sound quality. Seal any air leaks with an automotive-gradesealant material.

Custom Location: Run speaker wire to the desired mounting locations. If you are running wires into a door, use existing factory wiring boots whenever

possible. If you are drilling new holes, file their edges and install rubber grommets into each hole. Wires should then be covered with a protective, flexible PVC sleeve and then run through the door jamb. Make sure that the wires will clear door hinges and other structures in the door. If you are unsure about any part of this process, please contact your JL Audio dealer for installation help.

Select an even surface. Tightening a speaker onto an uneven surface can damage it. Carefully measure and mark the “mounting hole diameter” outline in the selected location using the dimensions listed on page 2. Before drilling or cutting on your interior panels, use a utility knife to cut any fabric, vinyl

or leather from hole locations. These materials can easily be snagged by a drill or a saw, causing damage to the panel and possible bodily injury. Drill a pilot hole in the center of the proposed speaker mounting hole. Then, using a saber saw with an appropriate blade, make the circular cut out for the speaker. File any rough edges.

After cutting the hole, check to see that the speaker frame fits into its mounting hole cleanly. Do not force the frame into a hole that is too small. Once the speaker is in place, use the holes on the speaker’s mounting flange to mark the panel where the four mounting screws will be positioned (See Diagram J). Remove the speaker and drill 1/8-inch(3 mm) holes at each mark. Insert the mounting clips with the flat side towards the speaker. Connect the speaker wires, observing correct polarity, and secure the speaker and grille tray to the panel by evenly tightening by hand the provided #8 x 1.25 inch (32 mm) mounting screws. Make sure the woofer is secured so that air does not leak around the mounting flange. Air leaks will cause a severe degradation in sound quality. Seal any air leaks with anautomotive-gradesealant material.